If you haven't clicked over to our summer camp pages lately, you're missing out! Registration for Summer Camp 2013 is LIVE online, and we don't want you to miss out on all the fun coming to Camp Wesley Woods this summer! We offer programs for children entering Kindergarten through 12th grade this fall: from Day Camp to Grand Adventure to Basecamp to Leadership Development. There is something for everyone! To find which sessions you or your child is eligible for, hover your mouse over Summer Camp, then Programs, and select the camper's grade as of this fall. We can't wait to see you this summer, for Treasures of the Heart!

On Sunday afternoon, not only can you enjoy some wonderful chili and fierce competition, but your little ones can trunk-or-treat! Please join us at Concord UMC on Roane Drive in West Knoxville for the Oak Ridge District Chili Cook-Off, Trunk-or-Treat & Fall Festival. It will be a great afternoon for the whole family! Festivities start at 4:30 p.m.

As the temperatures drop, it's time for Chili! Our Chili Cook-Off season is about to get underway, and we need your help! If you love to make chili or if you love to eat chili, we hope you'll join us! Full details and entry forms for the Chili Cook-Off and Dessert Contest are available here.

Wed. Nov. 7th - Maryville First UMC in the Maryville District, Time TBA

To enter a pot of chili or a dessert into one of our cook-offs, just email ashley@campwesleywoods.com to let us know you're interested! We'll make sure you have the right registration materials. Cost to enter a pot of chili is $25, and it's $10 to enter a dessert. Trophies will be awarded to the People's Choice Chili, Judge's Choice Chili, Best Table Decorations, People's Choice Dessert & Judge's Choice Dessert.

To come and taste chili and desserts, there is NO entry fee! Participants can "vote with your dollars" to choose your favorite pot of chili or dessert.

We have two exciting events coming up this weekend, and there's still time to sign up for both!

IGNITE, our middle school retreat, begins Friday night, September 14th at 7 p.m. We'll have worship, adventure activities, small group time and more! Cost is $25 per person, and includes lodging, a snack on Friday evening and three meals on Saturday. Groups of all sizes are welcome, as long as you bring a chaperon! To sign up today, call or email Mollianne at (865) 448-2246 or mollianne@campwesleywoods.com.

The Camper Scamper 5K starts at 8 a.m. on Saturday, September 15th! Registration starts at 7 a.m., and walk-up registrations will be accepted. The race will take place at Sandy Springs Park in Maryville. If you're not a runner, you can sign up to be an "Armchair Runner" and still support Camp Wesley Woods! Cost is $30 if you register before Thursday, September 13th, and $35 if you register the day of the race. The race will be timed by the Knoxville Track Club. Register now!

The first annual Camper Scamper 5K is in just 9 days, and today is the deadline to sign up and be guaranteed a t-shirt! The race will be held on Saturday, September 15th at 8 a.m. at Sandy Springs Park in Maryville. After you finish the race, you'll have the opportunity to tie-dye your white shirt while you wait for the race results! But if you don't sign up today, we can't guarantee that we'll have a shirt in your size. Don't wait! Click here to register online! Not a runner? You can sign up to be an "Armchair Runner" and still support Camp Wesley Woods & receive a t-shirt!

Thanks for your patience as we had trouble with our phone lines this week. Both lines are now working, and you can reach our office at either (865) 448-2246 or (865) 448-6556. Our office hours are Monday - Friday, 9 .am. - 4 p.m.

If you've had trouble reaching our office by phone, it's because our main phone line has been down. We have assurances from the phone company that the line will be functioning again soon, but until then, if you need to speak with someone in our office, please call Line 2 at (865) 448-6556. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience.

Our camp director, John Erdman, was honored on Tuesday at Holston’s Annual Conference with the Harry Denman Evangelism Award for laity. Erdman, along with the directors from the three other Holston Conference Camps, received the award, which recognizes individuals who demonstrate effectiveness in sharing Jesus Christ.

The Denman Award is named for Harry Denman, noted United Methodist lay evangelist. When the United Methodist Church was formed in 1939, Denman was elected to lead the new denomination’s evangelism program. Denman later incorporated the Foundation for Evangelism in 1949, which directly supports evangelism ministries within the United Methodist denomination. In 1981, the Foundation for Evangelism established the Denman Award “to honor United Methodist clergy and lay persons in each annual conference who exhibit unusual and outstanding efforts for the work on Christian Evangelism.” The Foundation encourages each annual conference to honor to one clergy, one layperson and one youth each year. The award is given to individuals who “in their daily lives, are effective in helping others to experience the transforming love of God through Jesus Christ.”

“At Camp Wesley Woods, our desire is to share the love of Christ with everyone who comes to Camp, whether child or adult, student or camper,” Erdman said. “We aim to partner with local churches to enrich their ministries and evangelism efforts, and receiving the Denman Award affirms these goals. I am honored to be included in the award recipients alongside my fellow camp directors.”